A study published in Nature highlights that many countries are rapidly expanding human settlements in flood-prone areas, increasing their exposure to flood-related risks. The study revealed the following trends:
•Human settlements globally expanded by 85.4% between 1985 and 2015.
•Development in areas highly exposed to significant flood hazards (where floods can reach over 150 cm) increased by 122%, surpassing growth in safer areas.
•Approximately 6% of developed land, covering 36,500 square kilometers, was in the ‘very high’ flood-hazard category, while an additional 76,400 square kilometers were in the ‘high’ flood-hazard category.
•The East Asia and Pacific region had the highest exposure, with 18.4% of all settlements prone to flooding in 2015.
•North America and sub-Saharan Africa had the lowest exposure, with 4.5% and 4.6% of settlements exposed to flooding, respectively.
•China stood out as the most striking example, with the extent of settlements in the highest flood-hazard category more than tripling over three decades.
The main driver behind development in flood plains is land scarcity, especially in areas where safe land for development is already occupied. Trade-offs between economic opportunities and disaster risk are common, leading to expansion in flood-prone coastal areas, major port cities, and tourism hubs.
The findings underscore the urgent need for countries to accelerate adaptation efforts to address the impacts of climate change. The study also emphasizes the role of local authorities and urban planners in reducing people’s exposure to climate risks and the importance of informed choices in urban development to build resilience to climate change.
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